schizbomb

So last night i ran out of the original tank of windshield washer fluid on the middle of I-35 in Kansas.

At my next fuel stop I went into get a jug and got bug wash because bugs were smashing my windshield like crazy, and the dude ringing me up said new vehicles can't take the fancy Rain-X bug wash stuff because it's "more viscous" and clogs the system. Seemed like a watery consistency to me.

I figured he was an idiot, but bought regular fluid just in case, since it was 2am and I didn't have time to google that crap.

So confirm for me, is that dude dumb or is he possibly correct?

Owner's manual says not to use bug wash or additive fluid fyi/fwiw

Side note: how many jugs does a 2012 F-150 take of that fluid?

SUPERLOOP

I must of missed that quote in my owner's manual. I've been using Prestone Bug Wash in my truck with no issues.

schizbomb

It says:

I feel like it would be fine to use Rain-X and other things.

humblerb

What is should say is: Don't buy anything inexpensive at Wal-Mart, Auto-Zone, Target, etc. Buy only products that have the Ford logo on them and cost 10X what we should be selling them for.

I swear, if they wouldn't try to charge me $50 for a $10 air filter, I would let them change it for me everytime it is in. They have already done the work (removing it to see if it is dirty). Just take a $10 one out of the box and put it back in.

acdii

Some fluids tend to slick up the windshield and the wipers will skip or streak, but I wouldn't worry about it if its a name brand product, just stay away from the unbranded ones. Ones that are branded Rain-X, Prestone, etc. work just fine, but beware, there are some "bug" type washer fluids that will freeze, so check the label to make sure its good to -20, or you might be in for a nasty surprise one cold morning. It may be summer now, but that doesn't mean you will use up all your fluid before winter hits. We had some of that stuff, didn't know it wasn't freeze proof and found the crap had frozen in the tank, and we didn't have any washer fluid at all. One of those holy s**t moments.

schizbomb

If it ever got to -20 in San Antonio I would be worrying about something other than my washer fluid! hahaha

fordfan77

I use Rain-X with bug remover in my washer can, never had a problem, and I use it all the time.

Did you know that JC Whitney sells a windshield washer heater kit? It heats up the washer fluid before it comes out the nozzle, so the hot fluid melts the icy windshield faster.

kbass24emtp

I use the orange rain x in every car i have owned and never had any problems.

schizbomb

I got a jug of the orange Rain-X

drttrack15

rainx also makes a washer fluid "additive". it comes in a 16oz bottle and you put 4 oz to 1 gallon of whatever fluid you are using. its puts a rainx treatment on every time you use the washers. ive found bugs and dirt dont stick as bad or get baked on since ive started using this. but as far as the topic at hand... no, you will not have any problems with "not normal" washer fluid.